Safe Mode Not working/Cannot download program

[arc]

Hi,

I have 2 of the Kickstarter oaks, Oak 1 i was using fine (turning LED on and off from web browser) until i uploaded an example program for variables from the Particle Build IDE and now it wont re-program. Grounding P1 for 3 seconds at power seems to do nothing (I don't get any LED flashes) is there any other way to tell if it's in safe mode.

I have just ordered a 3.3V TTL converter so I will have that this week to do more detailed work on the Oak

Looking at the particle Console Logs, it repeatedly comes online but doesn't go offline, it does this every 10-15 seconds.

Because this one became unusable I got the second Oak out and after connecting to WIFI and configuring on Particle i downloaded the remote LED control program which is working fine and tried the safe mode routine to check if its that Oak but the second Oak doesn't do anything either. Is there a trick i'm missing with entering safe mode?

[PeterF]

Unfortunately, no, you're not missing anything re: config/safe mode. If you're not getting the flashes, or a message reporting that it is config mode on particle, then "Houston, we have a problem!"

From the log message you're getting, it looks like either for some reason the Oak is just constantly rebooting, or doesn't think it is successfully establishing a connection to Particle. It is similar to another problem that was happening with an earlier version of the Oak firmware, but IIRC it would consistently go online and then offline, and keep cycling for a while.

I think your best bet is to wait for that USB to serial adapter, and then do the Easy Serial Update, and just restore the Oak back to stock. Hopefully it was just a once-off gremlin.

[arc]

Ok interesting, i have reflashed the first oak back to life with my USB to TTL converter and its back on the cloud and working.

Is it a good idea to keep you oak upto date firmware wise?

I still can't figure out the safe mode tho.

I have tried it with various lengths of time between power up and removing the link between gnd and Pin1 and it still just comes online as normal.

So instead I have put this:
pinMode(5,INPUT);
    if (!digitalRead(5))
    {
        Oak.rebootToConfig();
    } 

At the start and ill just keep a resistor between Vin and pin 5.

Interesting why it wont work on either Oak. Could it be because they are kickstarter versions?

[PeterF]

No, kickstarter or non-kickstarter shouldn't make any difference... the kickstarter boards are just the same once they've installed the current firmware.

So far it has been a good idea to keep the firmware update to date... the latest version seems to have fixed most of the issues, and seems pretty stable.

When you mean online... are you meaning what is reported on Particle? As it will go online when in config/safe mode... but should then say it's in config mode shortly afterwards. If you have a few minutes... put it back into safe mode (P1 to GND, connect power, pull P1 jumper after 3-5 seconds, P1 led should be doing a triple blink flash), and just leave it like that for 5-10 minutes... and see if it stops doing the online/offline dance.... I noticed that whilst the bug causing that appeared to be fixed in the main firmware... I seemed to be having issues with it one or two of my oaks when in safe/config mode... worth a check?

[mikekgr]

Dear @PeterF
Please if you can, send me the link(s) with the how to istructions in order to update the 5 OAKs that I have without any use...
Thanks and Best Regards,
Mike Kranidis

[PeterF]

Shortest and simplest version is this one, and there is a longer, more detailed version here. Hope that gets your Oaks into a usable state!

[mikekgr]

thanks a lot Dear @PeterF !!!
I will try it today at night and I will report back !

[mikekgr]

Shortest and simplest version is this one, and there is a longer, more detailed version here. Hope that gets your Oaks into a usable state!

Dear PeterF,
I did what suggested to me and now I have a batch of OAK working again.
Thanks a lot dear friend!

Best Regards,
Mike Kranidis

[PeterF]

Great news Mike! Have fun!